A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship is working off the coast of York to conduct hydrographic survey

The York Lobstermen's Association said NOAA vessels have caused $25,000 in damages to gear since 2009. NOAA reimburses lobstermen $80 for each lost trap.

"We fish in pairs down here in York Harbor, so every time you lose a buoy, or lose a set of gear, by the time you add up the buoy, the rope, it's almost $200 each time you lose a trap, or lose a pair of traps. It gets expensive very fast," said Mike Sinclair of the York Lobstermen's Association.

A NOAA official said the organization failed to notify Maine lobstermen of a schedule change and is revising communication policies.

FULL TONIGHT, THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION IS áAPOLOGIZINGá TO YORK LOBSTERMEN. THE LOBSTERMAN ARE UPSET ABOUT A MAPPING VESSEL, CUTTING LINES AND DAMAGING TRAPS. THE "YORK LOBSTERMEN'S ASSOCIATION" SAYS THE SHIPS HAVE CAUSED 25- THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DAMAGES TO GEAR SINCE 2009. NOAA REIMBURSES LOBSTERMEN 80- DOLLARS FOR EACH LOST TRAP. "With the first claims we had back in 2009, it was six months to a year before fishermen saw anything. We've got fishermen now with claims from last year pending from 20 traps for a couple of guys, I have a claim pending for 5 pairs of 10 traps. Some other guys have lost 30 traps." THE DIRECTOR OF NOAA'S "OFFICE OF COAST SURVEY" RELEASED A STATEMENT, SAYING IN PART: We are expanding our notification process to include announcements through Maine's Harbor Master's Association?, and we are revising our? survey ship? communication policies?, in general,?